Frost dates for 68929Bloomington, NE
The average last spring frost in Bloomington is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 25 · May 7 · May 21 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 1 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bloomington
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68929 is matched to the NOAA station Franklin #2, NE, 7.3 km away, at 1,861 ft elevation (186 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin #2, NE (used) | 1,861 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
| Harlan Co Lake, NE | 2,010 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
| Ragan, NE | 2,240 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Red Cloud, NE | 1,732 ft | May 1 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Bloomington
- Franklin, NE 68939 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Naponee, NE 68960 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Republican City, NE 68971 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Riverton, NE 68972 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Hildreth, NE 68947 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Upland, NE 68981 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Wilcox, NE 68982 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Campbell, NE 68932 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bloomington, NE?
- For ZIP code 68929, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Franklin #2, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Bloomington, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68929?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.